In the lead-up to a highly anticipated matchup, a former NHLer sees some similarities between his past life and the struggles that have persisted with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

On Tuesday’s edition of Off the Roster, longtime NHL defenceman and current Florida Panthers television analyst Ed Jovanovski joined the show to preview tonight’s matchup between the Leafs and Cats.

Jovanovski was asked about his time with the Vancouver Canucks, on a team that was filled with talent – Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Todd Bertuzzi, Markus Naslund -but could never get over the hump in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He was questioned whether there were similarities between the Canucks of the early 2000s and the Maple Leafs of today, who have won just two playoff series in the past two decades.

“In [Vancouver], we did have great teams,” Jonvanovski explained. “I mean, we’d score four, five, six goals a game…sometimes in the big moments we just couldn’t get it done.”

Having played in a hockey-crazed environment himself, Jovanovski knows what it’s like playing under the type of pressure the Leafs see on a nightly basis, but admits the attention is ramped up in the hockey mecca of the world.

I mean, you look at what’s going on in Toronto, it’s tough because Toronto, even more so than Vancouver, is obviously that market where everything’s scrutinized and they’re just looking to, you know, find something to discuss about the team rather than, I don’t know, maybe backing off a little bit and let the guys kind of go and play and see where it rolls.”

The added pressure of being a Maple Leaf has been a talking point with every playoff exit, whether some players are able to rise to the occasion despite the looming cloud of scrutiny. Jovanovski stated that he has sympathy for the current group in Toronto.

“I think the guys try their hardest each and every night,” Jovanovski continued. “No one’s trying to lose hockey games, but you understand that it is a business and you want results, especially in that market. So, you feel for players in that sense that I know they want to do good. I know it’s been a long time in Toronto, where you had that playoff success.”

Last year’s second-round series between the Leafs and Panthers came up during the conversation. Though Florida fell behind in the series, 2-0, the team managed to rally, walloping Toronto in a disappointing Game 7.

“I think the Panthers are a well-oiled machine,” Jovanovski said. “I think having been there before and fought through these series, I think being well-versed in that category, where they just got to go out there and play. They’re not a team that kind of just relies on two lines to get it done. I mean, it’s four lines, six defensemen, that are rolling throughout a hockey game. I think just being calm under pressure at the right moments. … The momentum was obviously kind of moving towards the Panthers’ side. So, it was an unbelievable game. You can see right from the start to finish what a clinic the Panthers put on in that game.”

On the Panthers’ side, there’s concern for how the two-time Stanley Cup champions have performed in the first couple months of the season. Even with injuries to key players, some wonder if Florida will be able to bounce back. Yet, Jovanovski remains optimistic about the team’s ability to turn things around.

“There’s time left. I think when you look how, other than Tampa at 34 points, no one really running away from it. So what does that mean? I guess, in hockey terms, is consistency, finding a way to maybe string three or four games together and get a little separation, get yourself back into that mix. I’m not too concerned about the Panthers. Obviously, dealing with a lot of injuries, a lot of high-end injuries. So, it’s been a tough grind. They’re working hard, just not getting the results they want right now.”

Puck drop between the Leafs and Panthers in Sunrise is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.